MXPA02009912A - Speckled detergent composition. - Google Patents

Abstract

Speckled detergent compositions with colored glassy phosphates and conventional detergent ingredients.

Description

COMPOSITION JASPERED DETERGENT CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS This application claims priority under title 37 U.S.C. § 119 (e) to the United States Provisional Application Series No. 60 / 194,844, filed on April 5, 2000 (Case No. 8019P).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to marbled detergent compositions comprising colored crystalline phosphates. Colored crystalline phosphates impart enhanced aesthetic appeal as well as functionality to the granular detergent compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The commercialization of laundry detergents often involves the use of distinctive aesthetic attributes of the product to assist consumers in differentiating a particular product from other commercially available products of the same general type. Colored veins, e.g., dyed or pigmented, frequently used to create such a distinction. Veins with colors that are known in the art are generally opaque. Various mes are known in the art for producing grains of grainy colors. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,097,418, issued June 27, 1978, to The Procter & Gamble Co. discloses an agglomeration process wherein an inorganic alkaline salt is agglomerated with an anionic surfactant paste which serves as an adhesive agent containing a coloring agent, to provide the marbled detergent composition. Another me is simply to mix two spray dried granular compositions colored differently in the desired proportions. Therefore, the need for a vein with color that occurs easily and at low cost and provides superior recognition by the consumer of the product in which it is included persists. Additionally, there is a need for a vein with color that offers aesthetic appeal while also improving the cleaning power of the detergent composition in which it is included.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION By the present invention it has now been discovered that crystalline phosphates can be used to make transparent colored veins with very different visual characteristics compared to veins with Traditional opaque color. Additionally, it has been discovered that the appearance of the colored veins can be further enhanced by coating them with gleaming materials. The colored veins made of crystalline phosphates also provide significantly improved builder capacity to that of the sodium carbonate builders. Sodium carbonate builders have the disadvantage of precipitating calcium carbonate which can accumulate in the fabric. In contrast, the crystalline phosphate builder agents exert strong sequestering and suspension effects and tend to hydrolyze or revert in aqueous solution and heat to pyrophosphates and orhosphates. The present invention meets the aforementioned needs by providing a marbled detergent composition comprising from 0.01% to 8.0%, approximately, by weight of the total crystalline phosphate color vein composition, preferably from 0.1% to 5.0%, approximately, by weight of the total composition, more preferably from 0.5% to 3.5%, by weight, of the total composition and from 92.0% to 99.99%, approximately, preferably from 95.0% to 99.9%, and even more preferably from 96.5%. % to 99.50%, approximately, of conventional laundry ingredients selected from the group consisting of surfactants, builders, chelants, brighteners, bleaching ingredients, photobleaches, enzymes, polymers of release of dirty, dye transfer inhibitors, fabric integrity polymers, loads, perfumes and mixtures of these. It has also been found that the use of functional dyes to color crystalline phosphates provides a double advantage. First, an aesthetic advantage is achieved by providing a translucent color to the veins with color and second, a functional advantage is achieved by improving the cleaning performance of the detergent composition to which the particles are added. All percentages, ratios and proportions in the present invention are by weight unless otherwise indicated. All documents cited in the present invention are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides marbled granular detergent compositions useful in laundry and hand washing operations that provide a particularly desirable aesthetic appeal as well as provide superior cleaning action. The detergent compositions according to the present invention comprise from 92.0% to 99.99%, approximately, preferably from 95.0% to 99.9%, approximately, and more preferably from 96.5% to 99.50%, approximately, of conventional laundry detergent ingredients that are selected from the group which consists of surfactants, builders, chelating agents, brighteners, bleaching ingredients, photobleaches, enzymes, dirty release polymers, dye transfer inhibitors, fillers, perfumes and mixtures thereof and from 0.01% to 8.0%, approximately , by weight of the total composition, of veins with crystalline phosphate color, preferably from 0.1% to 5.0%, by weight, of the total composition, more preferably from 0.5% to 3.5%, by weight, of the total composition . The present invention also provides the detergent formulating technician with the option of either significantly reducing the amount of builder agent that is added to the detergent composition, while maintaining the performance of the detergent or alternatively maintaining the same level of builder agent. while adding the veins with crystalline phosphate color and significantly improving the cleaning performance of the detergent.

Colored Veins The colored veins that are described in the present invention are comprised of crystalline phosphates and a dye and / or pigments. The crystalline phosphates useful in the present invention are represented by the formula M2O: P205) wherein M is an alkali metal, preferably sodium or potassium, and the molar ratio between both oxides is from 0.7: 1 to 1.3: 1, approximately. The preferred crystalline phosphates are those that have 21 phosphorus atoms approximately, in the molecule. However, crystalline phosphates of shorter chain lengths such as 6 and 13 phosphorus atoms are also suitable. Also useful are larger crystalline phosphates such as sodium metaphosphate. Crystalline sodium phosphates of other alkali metals such as potassium can also be used to produce crystalline colored veins. The crystalline phosphates provide veins that are transparent rather than opaque such as those previously known in the art. By transparent, it is desired to mean that the light moves through the veins with color without being altered. The crystalline phosphates useful in the present invention are described in U.S. Patent No. 2,568,110, to Irving Beiley et al., On September 18, 1951 (which is incorporated herein by reference) and in General and Inorganic Chemistrv. , JR Partington, Fourth Edition, MacMillan, 1967, (which is incorporated herein by reference). The crystalline phosphates are commercially available as dry powders, fine granules, plates, and coarse granules. For example, Sodaphos, Hexaphos®, Glass H® and Sodium Acid Metaphosphate® are trademarks of crystalline phosphates manufactured by FMC Corporation, these phosphates respectively have an approximate chain length of 6, 13, 21 and more than 21 phosphorus atoms. Glass H® is the preferred material in this range of crystalline phosphates. Polyphosphates are also suitable which have the empirical formulas Na? 6Pi4? 43 and Na12P10O3? are marketed by Hooker Chemical Corporation, Niagara Falls, New York. Due to the detergency and dispersion-enhancing properties of crystalline phosphates, it is possible to reduce the level of phosphate depletion enhancer in a product containing crystalline phosphate veins., without reducing the operation of the detergent. Alternatively, in the event that the phosphate builder agent of a detergent composition is not reduced, the crystalline phosphates provide additional builder ability and additional dispersibility which results in superior performance. The veins may also optionally contain a commercial flashing material such as Timiron Dazzle MP-161 available from Roña EM Industrial Chemicals, to provide additional aesthetic benefits. Generally, the streaks in detergent products should be in the range of 200 to 3000 microns, preferably 300 to 1500 microns in size that is equal to or larger than the size of the base granules of the detergent. This ensures easy visibility of the veins by the consumer.

Dyes Crystalline phosphates are colored with conventional dyes and / or pigments as well as functional dyes that provide a second function in addition to providing color to the grain. Functional dyes suitable for use in the present invention include photobleaching such as metal phthalocyanines, and photobleaching complexes such as zinc phthalocyanine and aluminum phthalocyanine. However, other types of dyes such as polymeric dyes (ie, Liquitint, commercially available from Milliken Chemical) and other hydrophilic dyes are suitable for use in the present invention. Additionally, the adsorption of pigments, such as titanium dioxide coated with mica, on the particles will result in bright streaks. The amount of dye or pigment adsorbed on the phosphate particles is from OJ% to 2.0%, approximately, by weight of the crystalline phosphate content, preferably from 0.05% to 1.0%, approximately, by weight of the crystalline phosphate content, and more preferably from 0.1% to 0.5%, approximately, by weight of the crystalline phosphate content. The most preferred dyes for use in the present invention are photobleaching agents such as metal phthalocyanines, and their complexes, for example, zinc phthalocyanine and aluminum phthalocyanine. These types of dyes are activated by visible light providing bleaching performance on hydrophilic substrates, as well as a distinctive hue on white fabrics, in addition to providing translucent colored veins.

Procedure The crystalline phosphate particles are stained by the adsorption of a hydrophilic dye (ie, metal phthalocyanines or their complexes), dyes and / or polymeric pigments, on the surface of the crystalline phosphate. This process is more advantageous than the conventional absorption or mixing of the dyes / pigments with the crystalline phosphates because it comprises a less complicated process and provides a transparent rather than opaque vein. Traditional mixing methods reduce vein transparency due to hydrolysis of phosphate in shorter species that form crystals in the vein. The adsorption process can be carried out in several different ways. One of these methods uses a mixture of water and a non-polar solvent as the carrier of the dye and / or pigment. The crystalline phosphates are dried by evaporation of the non-polar solvent at a temperature between 25 ° C-100 ° C, preferably between 40 ° C-80 ° C and more preferably between 50 ° C-60 ° C. The ratio of the mixture of water and non-polar solvent is 99%: 1% to 10%: 1% by weight of the total mixture, preferably 50%: 1% and more preferably 40%: 1% by weight of the total composition. The non-polar solvent must be miscible in water in these ratios. Another method for carrying out the adsorption of the dyes and / or pigments is the atomization of the dyes and / or pigments on the crystalline phosphate particles. This process is carried out in a fluidized bed where the inlet air is from 90 ° C to 110 ° C approximately, preferably from 100 ° C to 105 ° C, approximately. The atomization pressure and velocity and the volume of air must be adjusted according to the concentration desired dye and / or pigment in the particle. The drying time of the veins should be reduced to a minimum to avoid unnecessary overheating. The colored crystalline phosphate veins that are described in the present invention are incorporated into detergent compositions by various methods including but not limited to dry blending.

Optional Detersive Ingredients As a preferred embodiment, the conventional detergent ingredients are selected from typical components of detergent compositions such as detersive surfactants and builders. Optionally, the detergent ingredients may include one or more additional detersive auxiliaries and other materials to assist or increase cleaning performance, treat the substrate to be cleaned, or modify the aesthetic characteristics of the detergent composition. Typical detersive auxiliaries of the detergent compositions include the ingredients disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,936,537, Baskerville et al. And in British Patent Application No. 9705617.0, Trinh et al., Published September 24. of 1997. Such auxiliary ingredients are included in detergent compositions at their conventional levels of use established by the art, generally from about 0% to 80% of the detergent ingredients, preferably from about 0.5% to about 20%, and may include veins with color, foam improvers, foam suppressors, anti-stain and / or anti-corrosion agents, dirt suspending agents, dirt release agents, dyes, fillers, optical brighteners, germicides, alkalinity sources, hydrotropes, antioxidants, enzymes, enzyme stabilizing agents, solvents, solubilizing agents, chelating agents , clay-based removal / anti-settling agents, fabric softening components, static control agents, bleaching agents, bleach activators, bleach stabilizers, etc.

Surfactants The washing or hand washing detergent compositions of the present invention may optionally comprise a non-average chain branched alkylisulfate surfactant or non-average chain branched arylsulfonate surfactant. Depending on the embodiment of the present invention, one or more categories of surfactants can be selected by the formulator. Preferred categories of surfactants are selected from the group consisting of anionic, cationic, nonionic, zwitterionic, ampholytic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Within each category of surfactant, more than one type of surfactant can be selected. For example, preferably the solid (i.e. granulated) and viscous semi-solid (i.e., gelatinous, paste, etc.) systems of the present invention, the surfactant is preferably present in the magnitude of 0.1% to 60%, approximately, preferably 30% approximately by weight of the composition.

Non-limiting examples of surfactants useful in the present invention include: a) linear Cu -Cis alkylbenzenesulfonates (LAS); b) C 1 -C 20 primary alkyl, branched chain alkyl sulfates and random (AS); c) Secondary C10-C18 alkyl sulfates (2.3) having the formula: OS03-M + OS03 M4 CH3 (CH2) X (CH) C? 3 ° CH3 (CH2) V (CH) CH2CH3 where x and (y + 1) are integers of at least 7 about, preferably at least about 9; the aforementioned surfactants are disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,234,258 Morris, issued February 8, 1966; Patent of the United States 5,075,041 Lutz, issued December 24, 1991; U.S. Patent 5,349,101 Lutz et al., Issued September 20, 1994; and U.S. Patent 5,389,277 Prieto, issued February 14, 1995; all of these patents are incorporated by reference in the present invention; d) C10-C18 alkyl alkoxy sulfate (AExS) wherein preferably x is 1-7; e) Alkyl alkoxy carboxylates C? 0-C? 8 preferably comprising 1-5 ethoxy units; f) C 2 -C 8 alkyl ethoxylates, C 6 -C 6 ethoxylated alkyl phenols wherein the alkoxylated units are a mixture of ethyleneoxy and propyleneoxy units, C 2 -C 8 alcohol, and alkyl phenols condensed with oxide polymers. ethylene / propylene oxide, including Pluronic® ex BASF which are disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,929,678 Laughiin et al., issued December 30, 1975, which is incorporated herein by reference; g) Alkylpolysaccharides as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,565,647 Filling, issued January 26, 1986, which is incorporated in the present invention; h) Polyhydroxy fatty acid amides having the formula: wherein R7 is C5-C31 alkyl; R8 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C? -C, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, Q is a polyhydroxyalkyl moiety having a linear alkyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyl directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative thereof; the preferred alkoxy is ethoxy and propoxy, and mixtures thereof; the preferred Q is derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction, more preferably Q is a glycityl moiety; Q is most preferably selected from the group consisting of CH2 (CHOH) nCH2OH, -CH2 (CHOH) 2- (CHOR ') (CHOH) CH2OH, and alkoxylated derivatives thereof, wherein n is an integer from 3 to 5, inclusive, and R 'is hydrogen or a cyclic or aliphatic monosaccharide, which are described in U.S. Patent 5,489,393 Connor et al., issued February 6, 1996; and in U.S. Patent 5,45,982 Murch et al., issued October 2, 1995, both are incorporated by reference herein. Additionally and preferably, the surfactant may be a branched chain alkyl sulphate, medium chain branched alkyl alkoxylated, or alkoxylated alkyl sulfate. These surfactants can be further described in U.S. Patent Applications Series No. 60/061, 971, October 14, 1997, No. 60/061, 975, October 14, 1997, No. 60. / 062,086, of October 14, 1997, No. 60/061, 916, of October 14, 1997, No. 60/061, 970, of October 14, 1997, No. 60 / 062,407, of October 14 of 1997. Other suitable medium chain surfactants can be found in U.S. Patent Applications Series Nos. 60 / 032,035, 60 / 031,845, 60/031, 916, 60 / 031,917, 60/031, 761, 60 / 031, 762 and 60/031, 844. Mixtures of these branched surfactants with conventional linear surfactants are also suitable for use in the present compositions.

Detergent Detergent Agents The hand wash detergent composition may also include a detergent builder to help control the hardness of mineral and to increase the removal of dirty particles. Inorganic builders or P-containing builders include, but are not limited to, the alkali metal, ammonium and alkanolammonium salts of polyphosphates (exemplified by crystalline polymeric tripolyphosphates, pyrophosphates, and metaphosphates), phosphonates, phytic acid, silicates, carbonates (including bicarbonates and sesqui-carbonates), sulfates, and aluminosilicates. However, in some places detergency builders that do not contain phosphorus are required. Importantly, the compositions in the present invention work surprisingly well even in the presence of so-called "weak" builders (as compared to phosphates) such as citrate, in the so-called "sub-improved" situation that can occur with enhancing agents. the detergency of zeolite or layered silicate. Examples of silicate builder agents are alkali metal silicates, particularly those having a Si02: Na2O ratio in the range of 1.6: 1 to 3.2: 1 and layered silicates, such as layered sodium silicates. which are described in U.S. Patent 4,664,839, issued May 12, 1987, to HP Rieck. NaSKS-6 is the trademark of a layered crystalline silicate marketed by Hoechst (commonly abbreviated as "SKS-6"). Unlike the zeolite builder agents, the NaSKS-6 silicate builder does not contain aluminum. The silicate improver NaSKS-6 has the morphological form delta-Na2SiO5 of the layered silicate. HE it can be prepared by methods such as those described in German Patent DE-A-3,41,769 and DE-A-3,742,043. SKS-6 is a highly preferred layered silicate for use in the present invention, but other layered silicates may be used in the present invention, such as those having the general formula NaMS ^ O ^ and H20 where M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4, preferably 2, and y is a number from 0 to 20, preferably 0. Various other layered silicates from Hoechst include NaSkS-5®, NaSKS-7® and NaSKS-11 ®, like the alpha, beta and gamma forms. As noted above, delta-Na2S? 'O5 (NaSKS-6 form) is the most preferred form for use in the present invention. Other silicates can also be useful, such as for example magnesium silicate, which can serve as an agent to provide crispiness in granulated formulations, as a stabilizing agent for oxygen bleaches, and as a component of foam control systems. Examples of carbonate builder agents are the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal carbonates as disclosed in German Patent Application No. 2,321,001, published November 15, 1973. Aluminosilicate builder agents are useful in the present invention. Aluminosilicate builder agents are of great importance in most of the heavy duty granular detergent compositions currently marketed, and they can be a significant detergent builder ingredient in liquid detergent formulations. Aluminosilicate builders include those with the empirical formula: Mz [(zAIO2) and]. XH2O where z and e are integers of at least 6, the molar ratio of zay is in the range of 1.0 to 0.5, approximately , and x is an integer from 15 to 264, approximately. Useful aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are commercially available. These aluminosilicates can be crystalline or of amorphous nature and can be aluminosilicates that are present in nature or that are synthetically derived. A method for producing aluminosilicate ion exchange materials is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,985,669, Krummel, et al., Issued October 12, 1976. Preferred synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials useful in the present invention are available under the designations Zeolite A, Zeolite P (B), Zeolite MAP and Zeolite X. In an especially preferred embodiment, the crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the formula: Na12 [(AI02) i2 (SiO2) i2] xH2O in where x is from 20 to 30, approximately, especially approximately 27. This material is known as Zeolite A. Dehydrated zeolites (x = 0-10) can also be used in the present invention. Preferably, the aluminosilicate has a particle size of about OJ-10 microns in diameter. Organic builders suitable for the purposes of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a wide variety of polycarboxylate compounds. As used in the present invention, "polycarboxylate" refers to compounds having a plurality of carboxylate groups, preferably at least 3 carboxylates. The polycarboxylate builder generally can be added to the composition in acid form, but can also be added in the form of a neutralized salt. When used in the salt form, alkali metals, such as the sodium, potassium, and lithium, or alkanolammonium salts, are preferred. A variety of categories of useful materials are included among the polycarboxylate builder agents. An important category of polycarboxylate builders comprises ether polycarboxylates, including oxydisuccinate, as disclosed in Berg, US Pat. No. 3,128,287, issued April 7, 1964, and Lamberti et al., Patent of the United States. No. 3,635,830, issued January 18, 1972. See also "TMS TDS" detergency builders of U.S. Patent 4,663,071, issued to Bush et al., May 5, 1987. Suitable ether polycarboxylates include also cyclic compounds, particularly alicyclic compounds, such as those described in the Patents from the United States 3,923,679; 3,835,163; 4,158,635; 4,120,874 and 4,102,903. Other useful builders include ether hydroxy polycarboxylates, maleic anhydride copolymers with ethylene or vinyl methyl ether, 1,3-trihydroxybenzene-2,4,6-trisulfonic acid, and carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, various alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of polyacetic acids such as ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid and nitrilotriacetic acid, as well as polycarboxylates such as mellitic acid, succinic acid, oxy-disuccinic acid, polymaleic acid, benzene-1,3 acid, 5-tricarboxylic, carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, and the soluble salts thereof. Citrate builders, eg, citric acid and the soluble salts thereof (particularly the sodium salt), are polycarboxylate builders of particular importance for heavy duty liquid detergent formulations due to their availability of sources of renewable resources and their capacity for biodegradation. Citrates can also be used in granular compositions, especially in combination with zeolite and / or layered silicate builders. Oxydisuccinates are also especially useful in such compositions and combinations. Also suitable in the detergent compositions of the present invention are the 3,3-dicarboxy-4-oxa-1,6-hexanedioates and the related compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat.

No. 4,566,984, Bush, issued January 28, 1986. Useful succinic acid detergency builders include C5-C2o alkyl- and alkenylsuccinic acids and salts thereof. A particularly preferred compound of this type is dodecenylsuccinic acid. Specific examples of succinate builder agents include: lauryl succinate, myristyl succinate, palmityl succinate, 2-dodecenyl succinate (preferred), 2-pentadecenyl succinate, and the like. Lauryl succinates are the preferred builders of this group, and are described in European Patent Application 86200690.5 / 0,200,263, published November 5, 1986. Other suitable polycarboxylates are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,144,226, Crutchfield. et al, issued March 13, 1979, and US Patent US 3,308,067, Diehl, issued March 7, 1967. See also Diehl, US Patent 3,723,322. Fatty acids, e.g., C? 2-C? 8 monocarboxylic acids) can also be incorporated into the compositions individually, or in combination with the aforementioned builders, especially citrate builders and / or succinate, to provide additional enhancing activity. Such use of fatty acids generally results in a decrease in foam, which must be taken into consideration by the formulator.

In situations where phosphorus-based detergency builders can be used, the various alkali metal phosphates such as the well-known sodium tripolyphosphates, sodium pyrophosphate and sodium orthophosphate can be used. Phosphonate builders such as ethan-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate and other known phosphonates can also be used (see, for example, US Patents 3,159,581, 3,213,030, 3,422,021, 3,400,148 and 3,422,137). .

Auxiliary ingredients The compositions of the present invention may optionally include one or more other detergent auxiliary materials or other materials to assist or enhance cleaning performance, treatment of the substrate to be cleaned, or modify the aesthetic characteristics of the detergent composition (v. ., perfumes, dyes, dyes, etc.). The following illustrative examples of such auxiliary materials.

Enzymes Enzymes can be included in the formulations in the present invention for a wide variety of purposes of washing fabrics, including, for example, the removal of protein-based, carbohydrate-based, or triglyceride-based stains, and to avoid transfer of refugee dye, for example, and for the restoration of fabrics. The enzymes to be incorporated include proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, and peroxidases, as well as mixtures of these. Other types of enzymes can also be included. The enzymes can be of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, fungal or yeast origin. However, its selection is governed by several factors such as optimal pH activity and / or stability optimum, thermostability, stability versus active detergents, detergency builders, etc. In this regard, bacterial or fungal enzymes, such as bacterial amylases and proteases, and fungal cellulases are preferred.

Enzyme Stabilizers The enzymes employed in the present invention are stabilized by the presence of water soluble sources of calcium and / or magnesium ions in the finished compositions that provide such ions to the enzymes. (Calcium ions are generally a little more effective and are preferred in the present invention only in case a type of cation is used). Additional stability can be provided by the presence of various other stabilizers that are disclosed in the art, especially borate species: see Severson, U.S. 4,537,706.

Bleaching compounds - bleaching agents and blazer activators The detergent compositions in the present invention may optionally contain bleaching agents or bleaching compositions containing a bleaching agent and one or more bleach activators. When present, bleaching agents will typically be at levels of about 1% to 30%, more typically about 5% to about 20%, of the detergent composition, especially for fabric washing. If present, the amount of bleach activators will typically be from 0.1% to 60%, approximately, more typically from 0.5% to 40%, approximately, of the bleaching composition comprising the bleaching agent plus the bleach activator. Bleaching agents can also be used.

Polymeric Dirt Release Additive Any polymeric dirt release agent known to those skilled in the art may optionally be employed in the compositions and methods of this invention. Polymeric dirt release agents are characterized by having both hydrophilic segments, to hydrophilize the surface of hydrophobic fibers, such as polyester and nylon, and hydrophobic segments to deposit on the hydrophobic fibers and remain adhered thereto to the completion of the wash and rinse cycles and, thus, serve as an anda for the hydrophilic segments. This can allow stains that occur after treatment with the soil release agent to be easier to clean in subsequent washing procedures.

Guelantes agents The detergent compositions in the present invention can optionally contain one or more iron and / or manganese chelating agents. Such chelating agents can be selected from the group consisting of aminocarboxylates, polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents and mixtures thereof, all as defined below in the present invention. Without the desire to be limited by theory, it is believed that the advantages of these materials are due in part to their exceptional ability to remove iron and manganese ions from the wash solutions through the formation of soluble chelates.

Removal / anti-settling agents for clay soils The compositions of the present invention may also optionally contain water-soluble ethoxylated amines having clay-loosening and anti-settling properties. Granular detergent compositions typically contain 0.01% to 10%, approximately, by weight of water-soluble ethoxylated amines; the Liquid detergent compositions typically contain 0.01% to 5%, approximately.

Polymeric Dispersing Agents Polymeric dispersing agents can be used advantageously at levels of about 0.1% to 7%, by weight, in the compositions in the present invention, especially in the presence of layered zeolite and / or silicate builder agents. Suitable polymeric dispersing agents include polycarboxylates and polymeric polyethylene glycols, although others known in the art may also be used. It is believed, although not intended to be limited by theory, that polymeric dispersing agents increase the overall performance of the builder agent, when used in combination with other builders (including lower molecular weight polycarboxylates) by the inhibition of the growth of crystals, the peptization of release of dirty in and antisedimentation of dirty in particles.

Brightener Any optical brightener or other brightening or brightening agents that are known in the art can be incorporated at typically 0.05% to 1.2% by weight, in the detergent compositions in the present invention Optical brighteners Commercials that may be useful in the present invention can be classified into subgroups, including, but not necessarily limited to, stilbene, pyrazoline, coumarin, carboxylic acid, methyncynins, dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxide, azole, heterocyclic 5 and 6 member ring, and other miscellaneous agents. Examples of such brighteners are disclosed in "The Production and Application or Fluorescent Brightening Agents," M. Zahradnik, Published by John Wiley & Sons, New York (1982).

Dye transfer inhibiting agents The compositions of the present invention can also include one or more materials effective to inhibit the transfer of dyes from one fabric to another during the washing process. Generally, such dye transfer inhibiting agents include polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, manganese phthalocyanine, peroxidases, and mixtures thereof. The preferred polyamine N-oxides are those where R is a heterocyclic group such as pyridine, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrrolidine, piperidine and derivatives thereof. If used, these agents typically will comprise from 0.01% to 10%, approximately, by weight of the composition, preferably from 0.01% to 5%, approximately, more preferably from 0.05% to 2%, approximately.

Other ingredients A wide variety of other ingredients useful in detergent compositions can be included in the compositions herein, including other active ingredients, carriers, hydrotropes, manufacturing process aids, dyes or pigments, solvents for liquid formulations, solid fillers for bar compositions, etc. If desired, soluble magnesium salts such as MgCl 2, MgSO 4, and the like, may be added at levels, typically, 0.1% -2%, to provide additional foam and to increase fat removal performance. Various detersive ingredients that are employed in the present compositions optionally can be further stabilized by absorption of the aforementioned ingredients in a porous hydrophobic substrate, then coating the aforementioned substrate with a hydrophobic coating. Preferably, the detersive ingredient is a mixture with a surfactant before being absorbed into the porous substrate. In use, the detersive ingredient is released from the substrate into the aqueous wash solution, where it performs its proposed detersive function. The colored veins that are described in the present invention are suitable for use in non-aqueous liquid detergent compositions containing non-aqueous solvents as carriers. Low molecular weight primary or secondary alcohols exemplified by methanol, ethanol, propanol, and isopropanol are suitable. Monohydric alcohols are preferred for solubilizing the surfactant, but polyols such as those containing about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms and about 2 to 6 ethoxy groups (e.g., 1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol, glycerin, and 1,2-propanediol) can also be used. The compositions may contain from 5% to 90%, typically 10% to 50% of such carriers. The detergent compositions in the present invention will preferably be formulated so that, during use in aqueous cleaning operations, the washing water will have a pH of 6.5 to 11, approximately, preferably from 8.5 to 10.7, approximately. Techniques for controlling pH at recommended levels of use include the use of buffers, alkalis, acids, etc., and are well known to those skilled in the art.

DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS In order to make the present invention easier to understand, reference is made to the following examples, which are intended to be illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES EXAMPLES 1-7 Granular Detergents EXAMPLE 8 Non-aqueous liquid detergent composition

Claims (11)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. A marbled detergent composition characterized by: (a) conventional detergent ingredients that are selected from the group consisting of surfactants, builders, chelating agents, brighteners, bleaching agents, enzymes, dirty release polymers, transfer inhibitors of the dye, fillers, perfumes and mixtures thereof; and (b) an effective amount of one with a dye and / or pigment.

2. A marbled detergent composition characterized by: (a) from 92% to 99.99% conventional laundry ingredients selected from the group consisting of surfactants, builders, chelating agents, brighteners, bleaching agents, photobleaching agents , enzymes, dirty release polymers, dye transfer inhibitors, fillers, perfumes and mixtures thereof; and (b) from 0.01% to 8.0% by weight of a crystalline phosphate with color with a dye and / or pigment.

3. The marbled detergent composition according to any of claims 1-2, further characterized in that it is: a) 95% to 99.9% by weight of conventional laundry detergent ingredients and; b) from 0.1% to 5% by weight of crystalline phosphate.

4. The marbled detergent composition according to any of claims 1-3, further characterized in that it is: a) from 96.5% to 99.5% by weight of conventional laundry and laundry ingredients; b) from 0.5% to 3.5% by weight of crystalline phosphate.

5. The marbled detergent composition according to any of claims 1-4, further characterized in that the crystalline phosphate has the formula M2O: P2O5, where M is an alkali metal, and the molar ratio between both oxides is 0.7: 1 to 1.3: 1.

6. The marbled detergent composition according to any of claims 1-5, further characterized in that the crystalline phosphate is sodium hexametaphosphate of average chain length from 6 to 1000.

7. The variegated detergent composition according to any of the claims 1-6, further characterized in that the dye is adsorbed on the crystalline phosphate particle.

8. The marbled detergent composition according to any of claims 1-7, further characterized in that from 0.01% to 2.0% by weight of the crystalline, dye or pigment phosphate is adsorbed on the crystalline phosphate particle.

9. The marbled detergent composition according to any of claims 1-8, further characterized in that the dye is selected from the group consisting of pigments, polymeric dyes, hydrophilic dyes, metal phthalocyanines, metal phthalocyanine complexes and mixtures thereof.

10. The variegated detergent composition according to any of claims 1-9, further characterized in that the dye is selected from zinc phthalocyanine and aluminum phthalocyanine.

11. The marbled detergent composition according to any of claims 1-10, further characterized in that the pigment is titanium dioxide coated with mica. e \ n '' * SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Detergent compositions marinated with crystalline phosphate with color and conventional detergent ingredients. 2B P02 / 1547F